Wednesday, November 13, 2013

"Please do not drive us from our homes"

The following letter was sent to John Goodman today on behalf of the Lockhaven Tenants Union. Lockhaven management and Various other members of Goodman Real Estate were cc'd.

Dear John Goodman,

Please do not drive us from our homes.

Your website says that you "specialize in
distressed, underperforming, or mismanaged properties." Apparently you see
the Lockhaven Apartments as falling into this category, and, having purchased Lockhaven
this summer, you are currently proceeding with plans to dislocate all tenants
from their homes, perform largely cosmetic renovations, and raise rents by as
much as double.

Lockhaven has existed for decades as a
well-maintained complex of buildings, and is home to many elderly and
low-income residents who have lived here for decades, and have invested their
own love and labor into the grounds. It's blooming with flower gardens and pea
patches cultivated by these residents. Wander the grounds on a sunny day
and you'll see laundry drying on clothes lines that have stood since the 50s
and signs urging you to help yourself to tomatoes. Distressed? Mismanaged? No.
In fact all the things that Seattle often claims it wants to be—affordable,
green, and sustainable—Lockhaven already is.

John Goodman, you have a reputation for philanthropy.
You are also a native Ballardite and graduate of Ballard High School. You are
our neighbor, your house/private marina a five minute walk from Lockhaven. It
is because of your character and your background that we are confident you
would not want to harm your neighbors. If you proceed with your plan to
dislocate us from our homes, you will harm not only your neighbors and your
community, you will do real and lasting damage to your reputation and to your
company's reputation. The story of Lockhaven is attracting wide-spread
attention from the media, the community, and elected leaders. It is a story
that resonates with a city struggling with a housing crisis.

John Goodman, you have a fantastic opportunity
to be a leader on this crucial issue. In addition to asking you to not
dislocate hundreds of Lockhaven residents, we further call on you to partner
with us and find a solution for Lockhaven that can serve as a model for the
future of affordable housing in Seattle. We acknowledge your right to improve
your property and to profit from it. Let us help you find a way to do that preserves
Lockhaven and does not erode the special character of the neighborhood you
love.

As a first step toward this vision, we call upon
you to immediately withdraw plans to kick us out of our homes, and to inform us
of this decision in writing.